Today, we’re diving into another impressive offering from Baltany. Previously, I reviewed the Retro American 1921—a stunning piece that delivered exceptional value at just $169, easily competing with watches priced five times higher. This time, I opted for something sportier: the Retro GMT S6073AB. This model feels like a perfect blend of iconic inspirations—imagine a cross between the Rolex Explorer II and a Tudor. It carries the spirit of both, with a design that captures the essence of vintage sport watches while standing on its own. The Retro GMT is available in two dial variants: black and cream. I chose the cream dial, which in my opinion offers the most character and visual appeal. It brings warmth and vintage charm, giving the watch a distinct personality right out of the box.
The watch arrived in a simple cardboard box, and inside, I found a leather travel pouch that contained the watch along with the warranty card. I actually appreciate this packaging choice—it’s functional and versatile, as the pouch also works great as a sunglasses case, haha. It’s refreshing when brands provide something practical as part of their packaging, rather than just a standard box that’ll sit in a drawer and collect dust until you decide to sell the watch.
My first impression of this watch was simply, “Wow!“ I went in with modest expectations, but Baltany has truly exceeded them on every front. The level of craftsmanship is exceptional—from the precise machining and refined finishing to the solid feel of the bracelet and the attention to small details, including the milled clasp. Everything about this watch radiates quality, far beyond what its $155 price tag would suggest. In my opinion, it could easily be priced at $600 or more and still feel like a bargain. It’s been a long time since a watch has genuinely impressed me, but this one absolutely has!
The case is crafted from 316L stainless steel, and its build quality is immediately impressive. The lines and angles are crisp and well-defined, with an all-brushed finish complemented by subtle polished edges. The level of finishing here is exceptional—on par with watches that cost four or even five figures. It’s genuinely hard to believe this level of execution is found on a watch priced at just $155. I know I might sound overly enthusiastic, but this piece continues to surprise me in the best way. In terms of dimensions, the watch measures 39mm in diameter, 48.5mm lug-to-lug, and 13.2mm thick (including the crystal). On the wrist, it wears exactly as the specs suggest—compact, balanced, and very comfortable.
Capping the case is a fixed 24-hour GMT bezel, finished with a brushed top surface and polished sides. The bezel features engraved numerals filled with black paint for excellent legibility. At the 3 o’clock position, you’ll find a large, unsigned screw-down crown with a polished finish. The absence of crown guards enhances the watch’s vintage character, which I personally love. Flipping the watch over, the screw-in case back is sterile and finished in a satin brushed texture. While clean and understated, I think an engraved design—perhaps a globe or something travel-themed—would add a nice touch and reinforce the GMT concept. Topping off the case is a high-domed sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare. The total weight, including the bracelet, comes in at 154 grams—solid but not overly heavy. And with a 200m (20ATM) water resistance rating, it’s more than capable of handling nearly any water-related activity you might throw its way.
The dial is finished in a beautiful matte cream color, giving it a warm, vintage-inspired aesthetic. It follows a maxi-style layout, with bold hour markers that feature a faux patina lume—specifically Swiss Super-LumiNova—for a nostalgic yet functional look. Each marker is bordered by a thin black outline, adding depth and contrast without overwhelming the design. Surrounding the dial is a cleanly printed black minute track, enhancing legibility while preserving the vintage feel. At the 3 o’clock position, there’s a rectangular date window with a white date wheel that blends nicely with the dial background—subtle and unobtrusive.
The hands are styled in the distinctive Tudor snowflake design. The hour hand is short, bold, and polished, filled generously with lume. The index shaped minute hand is longer, also polished and lume-filled, offering great visibility. The seconds hand is slender with a lume-filled rhombus (diamond) shape, maintaining the vintage-military vibe. The GMT hand stands out in bright orange, with a matching rhombus tip also filled with lume—easy to spot and visually dynamic. At 12 o’clock, the Baltany logo is crisply printed in black, while at 6 o’clock, you’ll find “GMT” in orange, followed by “Automatic” and “660ft = 200m” in black, all neatly balanced and well-proportioned. The dial is highly legible, thoughtfully designed, and impressively finished. The quality of the printing, lume application, and hand polishing is on par with the already excellent case finishing. It’s clear that Baltany takes quality control seriously, and I’d argue they have some of the best—if not the best—QC among Aliexpress-based watch brands.
The Baltany Retro GMT is powered by the Seiko NH34, a robust and affordable automatic GMT movement that’s quickly becoming a go-to choice for microbrands offering accessible travel watches. The NH34 offers a true GMT complication, featuring an independently adjustable 24-hour hand that allows tracking a second time zone—ideal for travelers or anyone coordinating across time zones. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and offers a 41-hour power reserve, which is more than adequate for daily wear. Accuracy out of the box tends to vary, typically ranging from -20 to +40 seconds per day, though mine example performed much better with around +5 to +7 seconds a day. The movement also supports hacking and hand-winding, adding to its practicality.
While it’s not the most refined or decorated movement—you won’t find any Geneva stripes or blued screws—it excels in terms of reliability and ease of service. It’s a workhorse caliber with Seiko’s reputation for dependability behind it. The NH34’s inclusion in a watch at this price point is impressive. It enables genuine GMT functionality without resorting to complex or fragile modules. Paired with Baltany’s excellent case and dial work, it completes a package that punches far above its weight. The NH34 isn’t a luxury movement, but it delivers exactly what it promises: rugged reliability, real GMT functionality, and excellent value. In the context of the Retro GMT, it’s a perfect match.
The stainless steel bracelet on the Baltany Retro GMT deserves special mention. While a leather strap option is also available, the bracelet truly completes the watch’s sporty, vintage look. It features polished sides with brushed surfaces on the top and bottom, offering a refined and versatile finish. The standout feature is the fully milled clasp, which feels solid and secure, engaging with a satisfying click. It includes four micro-adjustment positions, allowing for a near-perfect fit on a variety of wrist sizes. The clasp is also brushed on all sides and neatly engraved with the Baltany logo, adding a touch of branding without being overbearing. The bracelet links are held together by screws, which is a welcome surprise at this price point—far superior to the more common push-pin system typically found in watches under $200.
Tapering from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the clasp, the bracelet wears comfortably and looks proportionate on the wrist. It articulates smoothly, drapes well, and importantly, doesn’t tug on arm hair—a common issue with lower-end bracelets that is thankfully absent here. What stands out most is that Baltany hasn’t cut corners. While many AliExpress brands focus their quality control on the case and neglect the bracelet, Baltany delivers a bracelet that matches the high standard set by the rest of the watch. It genuinely feels comparable to offerings from much more established brands. In short: this bracelet punches well above its weight and is one of the best you’ll find in this price segment.
After spending time with the Baltany Retro GMT, it’s clear that this watch is a standout offering in the affordable GMT segment. From the case finishing and vintage-inspired design to the solid bracelet and the reliable Seiko NH34 movement, everything about this watch feels deliberate, well-executed, and far beyond what its $155 price tag suggests. The level of detail is impressive—sharply brushed and polished surfaces, a clean and legible cream dial with bold lume, a high-domed sapphire crystal, screw links, a milled clasp, etc. Even the packaging and presentation reflect a brand that cares about its product and its customers.
What makes the Retro GMT special isn’t just that it looks good—it’s that it wears like a watch from a brand with far more heritage and budget, and yet comes from a relatively young microbrand. Baltany has shown that with attention to quality control and smart design, you don’t need to spend hundreds—or thousands—to get a watch that delivers on all fronts. In short, the Retro GMT is not just “good for the price”—it’s genuinely good, full stop. For anyone looking to add a vintage-inspired GMT watch to their collection without breaking the bank, this is one of the best options available today. Baltany isn’t just competing with its peers—they’re starting to challenge the big names.
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